Sunrise on the Reaping finally reveals names of Katniss’ mom and dad

It’s been just over 24 hours since Sunrise on the Reaping was released in bookstores, and after a long wait, we finally know the real names of Katniss Everdeen’s mom and dad.

The Hunger Games is a franchise that just keeps growing and growing, adding prequels to the original trilogy that followed Katniss Everdeen through her own games and eventual revolution.

After The Ballad of Songbird & Snakes – made into a movie last year – Sunrise on the Reaping now follows Haymitch Abernathy’s games, having mentored Katniss during her own games.

We’re getting the story in the form of a new movie coming in 2026, but if you can’t wait that long (and don’t want to read the new book), Katniss’ parents’ story is already starting to be told. Warning: spoilers ahead!

Katniss’ mom and dad are officially named in Sunrise on the Reaping

Steel yourselves… we now know Katniss’ parents were called Burdock Everdeen and Asterid March thanks to Sunrise on the Reaping.

Lionsgate

You might remember from the original book trilogy and movies that we only ever heard of Katniss’ parents as Mr and Mrs Everdeen. While her mom was still alive during the original District 12 reaping, her dad had died in a mine explosion some years before.

Thanks to the new book, we’re finally starting to get some much-needed backstory. Burdock was a good friend of Haymitch’s, known for being a strong hunter with a good knowledge of plants. On top of this, he always has his trusty bow with him (remind us of someone?).

We then learn Burdock is “nuts about” one Asterid March, heavily implying she is Katniss’ mother. In Sunrise, she’s described as being “too rich and pretty” for someone like Burdock, although previous books tell us she grew up in a much poorer part of District 12 than Burdock ever did.

The original trilogy told us about Asterid’s potion skills, which are seen again here. She makes healing ointments at her father’s apothecary shop in Sunrise, but this isn’t the only obvious tie-back. You might remember Katniss noticing an old video of her mom in Catching Fire, with Sunrise confirming she was standing with Merrilee and Maysilee Donner.

Burdock and Asterid aren’t the only relations we’re introduced to, either. Lenore Dove is also mentioned, and is Burdock’s cousin on his mom’s side.

For more, find out where to stream the Hunger Games movies, how Haymitch won The Hunger Games, and why you’re wrong about the worst Hunger Games movies.